Sneaker Watch: Lakers Win Game, Lose Bynum
The Lakers end their 5-game skid, but may have lost their starting center for the playoffs.
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words // Brandon Richard
What looked like it'd be an easy night at the office for the Los Angeles Lakers turned into one that could potential throw their season off track. San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich opted to rest four of his started, seemingly conceding the game to the Lakers. However, the Spurs' reserves are amongst the best in the league and gave LA a little more than expected.
After going into the locker room tied at halftime, the Lakers pulled away in the second half. Kobe Bryant led the charge with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Lamar Odom was a difference maker with 23 points and 7 rebounds of his own. Los Angeles, at times looking completely uninterested in finishing out the regular season, used a 57-48 half to capture an important 102-93 win. Another victory in Sacramento tonight will lock up the second seed in the Western Conference.
Despite coming away with the victory, the Lakers may have suffered a critical blow heading into the postseason. An all too familiar scene, center Andrew Bynum left the game early after hyperextending his right knee on a freak play in the second quarter. He'll have a MRI today and will miss the Lakers' regular season finale against the Kings.
In other action, Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls continued their pursuit of the league's top record by beating the New York Knicks 103-90 in Madison Square Garden. Also, the Portland Trail Blazers wrapped up the sixth seed in the West with their 102-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Check out what kicks were worn on the court Tuesday.
A close look at Derrick Fisher's adidas adiPure Low Player Exclusive during introductions.
George Hill shoots in the Nike Blue Chip II.
A disappointed Andrew Bynum leaves the court in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.
Ron Artest gets tangled up in the BALL'N Layup.
DeJuan Blair defends Gasol in the Nike Zoom Sharkley.
James Anderson goes for a reverse layup in the adidas Pro Model 2010.
Kobe Bryant shoots in the "China" colorway of the Nike Zoom Kobe VI.
Lamar Odom also wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI.
Carmelo Anthony runs off a pick in the Jordan Melo M7; Rony Turiaf sets the pick in the Nike Hyperdunk 2010.
Chauncey Billups lays it up in the adidas Lightning Creator.
C.J. Watson wearing the Nike Air Max 360 BB Low; Toney Douglas defends in the adidas Supernatural Creator.
Floyd Mayweather wearing my net worth...times 100.
Landry Fields shoots in the "Duke" Nike Zoom Kobe VI.
Joakim Noah cradles a rebound in his Le Coq Sportif Pro Model.
Derrick Rose talks strategy with Coach Tom Thibodeau wearing a black patent leather version of his adidas adiZero Rose 1.5 shoe.
Andre Miller posts up in the adidas adiZero Infiltrate.
Gerald Wallace with a MJ-esque flush in the Air Jordan XIII.
Greivis Vasquez drives in his Under Armour Prototype Player Exclusive.
LaMarcus Aldridge posts in the Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010.
Mike Conley is the latest adidas hooper to rock the Crazy 8.
Nicolas Batum takes flight in the adidas adiPure.
images via ESPN